TIM Cahill is unlikely to be granted his wish for an Everton loan return in January, says David Moyes.

The 33-year-old Australian international has made no secret of his desire to temporarily rejoin the club he left for MLS side New York Red Bulls in the summer.

However, the ECHO revealed on Thursday that Moyes is not convinced by the merit of a third approach for another MLS star Landon Donovan, and Cahill falls into the same category.

The Blues boss is reluctant to completely rule out the possibility, but when asked ahead of today’s clash with Stoke at the Britannia stadium, he admitted it was not a priority.

“I wouldn’t think so, no,” said the Scot. “We have not made a decision yet, but if you are asking today it wouldn’t be what we are doing today.

“Could I revisit it? Yes, I could do, but I'm not doing it today.”

Cahill left Goodison Park in July to sign for Red Bulls in a £1m move, but is keen to stay fit after his new club’s campaign ended last month with defeat to DC United in the play-offs.

But the Socceroos forward has already acknowledged that the odds are stacked against his hopes of a Toffees reunion.

“I know I have a lot more to offer,” he said last month. “The main thing is that I get to enjoy the MLS but I also get the chance of joining back up in the Premier League and playing in the best league in the world.

“There is no shadow of a doubt, I am eager to come back. Hopefully something can be done (with Everton). It would be nice but it is not down to me.